A beautiful masterpiece by Aelbert Cuyp.
Aelbert Cuyp was part of the Dutch Golden Age and painted these magnificent arcadian landscapes, often with dignified and heroic-looking cattle and cows.
His paintings are important to art history because - as with the Dutch Golden Age more generally - they laid the stylistic foundations which would be v. influential to the British landscape artists of the 18th and 19th-century, and romanticism.
He was also influenced by the “Dutch Italianate” painters. It was an art movement, inspired by their Italian travels, to infuse the painting with a warm, soft and golden light - that you might see in the early misty morning hours.
I just think you could look at this painting for ages, and enjoy yourself.
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Cattle have so often in art history represented wealth, safety and plenty. The four cows and milkmaid celebrate the Dutch wellbeing and the peace associated with their land - especially after the eighty-years-war. So, the Dutch cow is a hero.
The way the light and shadow interacts with the cow is incredible.
The “Dort” stands for his hometown Dordrecht, in the background.
I really like this entire series.
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